Rudiger rubbed his eyes and yawned. The sun wouldn’t be up for hours yet. He should be in bed, not readying horses. “Back right.” Borisin lifted the hoof, and Rudiger began to clean it.

Word was the Youth Guard was camped south of the City. They had stopped there instead of coming in for some reason or other. Everyone now expected them to come in first thing in the morning.

“They know they were set up,” Izel had said. She’d been waiting in the stables when Rudiger first stumbled in after only an hour’s sleep. “And they’re not happy about it. They’re doing this precisely because it’s inconvenient to the Queen, the nobles, the priests. Unfortunately, people like you are included in that too.”

“Did you know they were back?” he asked her.

She shrugged. “I heard whispers yesterday. I hadn’t had a chance to tell you. I’m not sure when Palace officials first learned of it, but apparently they arrived at the south gate about a week ago. I don’t know any further details. I was lucky to overhear that much.”

So Rudiger had spent the last couple hours getting all the horses ready. He was told by Fra-Atl that there was a possibility all of them might be called on. However, Borisin was the important one. The Queen wanted to be riding him when she greeted the Youth Guard. He had groaned when Fra-Atl told him she also wanted to do it without a handler at her side.

“Don’t let the Queen hear you make a sound like that,” the priest snapped.

“Sorry, Reverence.”

“I take it from your reaction you don’t believe she’s ready.”

It would be hard to say regarding any other horse, as he’d never seen her on another horse. She’d probably be okay for a short time. But it didn’t really matter with Borisin. “She should be fine for a short time. As long as there’s nothing to spook Buluc.” He knew that wasn’t really an issue, but he didn’t want people thinking Borisin was anything other than an ordinary warhorse.

The priest frowned. “That might be an issue. She wants Bahlam there, too, beside her and the horse. Will that be an issue?”

“I honestly don’t know, Reverence. He was fine when we arrived, but there was distance between him and the jaguar. Up close might be entirely different. I’ve never seen a horse and jaguar together before apart from that one time.”

She nodded and tapped her foot. “There’s no choice. We need to take the risk. You are not officially part of this ceremony, but I want you nearby. Stand behind the ring of warriors. If anything goes wrong, get the horse under control and to safety as quickly as possible. The Queen’s Guard will see to her safety. Be careful. Ses-Zeltzin is excellent at handling the jaguar, but he is not a domesticated animal. He can be savage.”

“I understand, Reverence.”

As Rudiger began tying the red and black feathers into Borisin’s mane, he told the horse what Fra-Atl had told him about the schedule for the event, from the moment Nin-Xoco was to ride out to the moment she was to ride back.

“I can trust you to behave yourself with her, right? And not spook the cat?”

Borisin was silent.

“Are you not speaking to me again?”

Yeah, you can trust me. Of course you can trust me.

“Thanks.”

I’ll make sure she looks like a reasonably competent but inexperienced rider. But don’t worry. If she makes any big mistakes, I’ll compensate to make sure nothing bad happens.

“Thanks again. Look, I’m sorry about me and Izel, okay? I know that we, uh...”

Oh, forget about it. It’s not that bad, though you look utterly ridiculous at times. I just want you to recognise you’re a hypocrite.

Rudiger sighed. “Yeah, guess I am a bit of one.”

Hah! That’s an understatement.

“A bit of what?” Izel asked. “Oh. Yes, he really is.”

Rudiger shook his head and finished the last of the feathers. “Okay, let’s get you going. Fra-Atl will be here soon to collect you.”

Fra-Atl arrived shortly after with two Queen’s Guards. Rudiger gave one of them quick instructions in how to lead a horse and then watched them go. He then gave his two child helpers instructions on what they needed to do with the other horses if they were called on. Finally, he and Izel headed for the ceremony.

“You know you were talking to Borisin in front of the children,” Izel said as they walked.

Rudiger groaned. “Yeah, I’ve done that a few times. They just think I’m weird.”

When they reached the top courtyard, they stood by the north corner of the main building, just behind the warriors stationed there. The sun was just starting to rise in the east.

“I can’t see a thing from here,” Izel said.

Rudiger looked down at her and shrugged. “I can see just fine.”

“Yeah, of course you can.”

“That ridiculous Folith height comes in useful sometimes.”

She smirked. “Don’t rub it in.”

They waited for what seemed like ages. Finally, they heard whispers that something was happening on the lowest courtyard. Then they waited several more minutes before Rudiger saw a large group of people ascending the last flight of stairs. They were mostly warriors and servants, all haggard and dirty. As they reached the top, they began to form lines.

Izel shifted from side to side, trying to see past the gaps in the circle of warriors.

“I can carry you if you want,” Rudiger suggested.

She looked at him.

“If something goes wrong, though, and I have to rush in there, I’ll have to drop you pretty quick.”

“You’re serious? I’m not a child, you know.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve carried you a few times now, and you’re a lot heavier than a child.”

“That was under very different circumstances that aren’t really appropriate for here.” She tried to maintain a stern face, but laughed.

“My point is, I can manage it,” he said.

“All right then.”

He lowered himself down so that she could climb onto his back. She put her arms around his neck and he looped his under her legs. Then he rose back up again.

“If you get any ideas, save them for later,” she said in his ear.

“What is it with you and my height?” he muttered.

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She laughed.

In the courtyard, the last of the arriving warriors and servants took their positions. Behind them came four more figures. Three wore the red tunics and black skirts of the Queen’s Guard, although they were obviously younger than the other women Rudiger had seen in that uniform.

“Only three left,” Izel whispered in his ear. “There was a dozen or so to begin with. I admire their bravery coming back after they were obviously betrayed. I wonder what exactly happened.”

The fourth figure stood a little taller than the Youth Guard members. She was dressed in a white cloak and... No, it couldn’t be.

“Holy shit,” Rudiger muttered.

“What?” Izel said.

“The one with them.”

“Another outsider?”

“I know her.” She looked as haggard as all the others, and there was a slight limp in her walk, but there was no denying who it was.

“You know her?” Izel said. “Oh, who am I kidding? Of course you know her.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s what you and your friends do, isn’t it? You insert yourselves into other people’s business.”

“Hey, I had no idea she was coming here.”

“So? You Foliths think you can go anywhere and just take over.”

“No one’s trying to take over. Felitïa’s probably here for the same reason I am. To find the boy I told you about. You know, the one your sister—”

“Her name’s Felitïa, is it? Are you sleeping with her, too?”

“What? No!”

“I’m just teasing you. It’s easy to do. You’re so sensitive. However, I’m serious about the intruding where you don’t belong part. I wish you’d understand that.”

“Let’s not go through this again, please?”

“Fine, then shut up and watch the proceedings.”

“You started...Oh, never mind.”

Felitïa and the three Youth Guards proceeded past the warriors and servants who had arrived in front of them. One of the Youth Guards took a position at the front with the other two behind her, forming a triangle. Felitïa stood behind all three.

A few minutes passed. Then the Queen’s Guards and the priests filed out of the Palace like they had when Rudiger and Izel arrived. There were fewer priests this time, though. Two priests of Frana—Fra-Ichtaca and Fra-Atl—and only one each of the other two gods—Ses-Xipil and Nin-Centehua.

“Does it mean anything that there are fewer priests?” Rudiger asked Izel. “Or is it just that the other two aren’t in the city.”

“Not sure,” she answered. “Could be either.”

After the children had filed out, the centre door opened and Borisin stepped out, Nin-Xoco riding high upon his back. She had to duck low to pass through the door. Her hair was tied up over her head and adorned with feathers like a headdress. She carried a heavy mace-like object in one hand. Beside them walked Bahlam, his lead held by Ses-Zeltzin who walked close on the other side of the jaguar. All four stopped in the centre of the courtyard.

“I welcome my devoted Youth Guard home,” the Queen announced. “We feared that you were all lost, but I, for one, always held on to hope that some of you had survived. I am overjoyed to see you back today.” She held the mace up above her head, and Borisin shifted slightly with the change of her weight. The jaguar let out a low growl and Ses-Zeltzin pulled up some of the slack on the lead.

“By this, the Rod of Nin-Papan,” the Queen continued, “I beseech Ninussa, Sestin, and Frana to pour their blessings upon my favoured servants so that the hardships they have faced will not have been for nothing.”

The Queen’s prayer went on for a while longer, but Rudiger started to tune most of it out. His gaze wandered to Felitïa, who was leaning her head forward, peering at Borisin.

“Felitïa’s recognised Borisin,” he whispered. “Don’t worry though. She’s smart enough to not give us away.”

“I should hope so,” Izel replied.

When the Queen’s prayer ended, she lowered the rod. “Step forward, Nin-Akna.”

The young woman in the lead came forward and knelt in front of Borisin.

“You will provide a full account of your experiences later before me and the full Council,” the Queen said. “I am eager to learn how you survived the accident that took the lives of the rest of your number, an accident which we thought only one other had survived.”

“I am more than eager to provide an account, Holiness,” Nin-Akna said. “I think you will find it very illuminating.”

Rudiger watched the reactions of the priests in the line. So far, none of them had done anything noticeable from his vantage.

“However,” the Queen said, “I am curious to know now who this outsider is with you and why you bring her here.”

“She is the Will-Breaker, Holiness.”

Fra-Ichtaca and Ses-Xipil glanced briefly at one another.

“Is this supposed to mean anything to me?” Nin-Xoco asked.

“Perhaps you should ask your advisors, Holiness,” Nin-Akna said, “and they can tell you of the secret Prophecies of Eleuia as recorded by Nin-Papan.”

“Secret prophecies?” Izel whispered. “This is getting interesting.”

“I don’t understand.” The Queen twisted in her saddle. “Ses-Xipil, what is she talking about?”

“This is a matter best not spoken of in public, Holiness,” Ses-Xipil said. “We should discuss it in Council. Nin-Akna, you speak out of turn. Save it for the Council.”

“Apologies, Reverence,” Nin-Akna replied, “but I was only answering at her Holiness’s request. She asked who this person was and I told her. She is the Will-Breaker.”

“Enough, Nin-Akna!” Fra-Ichtaca snapped. The Voice of Frana rushed forward, grabbing Borisin’s rump as she tried to push herself past the horse and to the Queen’s side. “Holiness, I must request that we withdraw to Council chambers now.”

Not sure you’re close enough to hear me right now, Borisin said.

“I don’t understand,” Nin-Xoco said. “What is happening? Why will no one tell me?”

I hear you, buddy, Rudiger replied.

These priests are idiots when it comes to horses. Did you see that? Any other horse would have kicked her for doing that. I should have, too, but it would’ve spooked the stupid cat. See? I’m behaving.

Thanks, buddy.

“Holiness, we will gladly tell you,” Fra-Ichtaca said, “but it must be in Council. You will understand then. Please, trust me. You know you can trust me.”

Nin-Xoco scowled, then nodded. “Very well. We will withdraw immediately to Council.”

There were murmurs moving about the courtyard now. The children were whispering amongst themselves. Even some of the warriors were breaking etiquette and murmuring to one another. Only the Youth Guard and the servants and warriors who had arrived with them remained still and quiet. Was Felitïa smiling?

Nin-Centehua began ushering the children back inside the Palace. Ses-Xipil had already gone inside. Fra-Atl remained in place for the moment, a broad smile on her face.

“Youth Guard!” Ses-Zeltzin called. “Follow me!”

Nin-Akna stood and the two other Youth Guards stepped up behind her. Felitïa followed.

“The outsider is not permitted entrance,” Fra-Ichtaca said.

“No, of course not,” the Queen said. “The outsider will stay outside.”

Felitïa stopped moving.

“Forgive me for what may seem disobedience, Holiness,” Fra-Atl said, “but Nin-Papan wrote that Eleuia commanded that the Will-Breaker always be allowed entrance.”

“We do not know that this is the Will-Breaker,” Fra-Ichtaca said.

“Then that will be the business of Council to determine,” Fra-Atl replied. “Please, Holiness, you must let her come.”

“I am in command here,” Nin-Xoco said. “You will do as I say.”

“Of course, Holiness,” Fra-Atl said. “There are just some things that you don’t understand. We will explain things to you once we are inside.”

“Very well. Bring this Will-Breaker person. But there had better be a good explanation.” Nin-Xoco pulled at Borisin’s reins and kicked with her feet.

She’s completely forgetting everything in her distress, Borisin said.

Just take her inside, Rudiger said.

Yeah, all right. And I was so looking forward to my big parade at the end of the ceremony.

No you weren’t.

Yeah, you got me.

Borisin stepped slowly away from Bahlam, while Ses-Zeltzin held a firm grip on the jaguar’s lead. Then he turned around and walked towards the nearest Palace door.

“Continue!” Ses-Zeltzin ordered the Youth Guards, then led them into the Palace. Felitïa followed.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” Izel said, “but I think that Youth Guard just caused the biggest political upset Ninifin’s seen in a generation.” She squeezed Rudiger. “This could be the moment we’ve been waiting for. We have to get word to Fra-Mecatl immediately.” She kissed him on the side of his forehead. “Now let me down. We’ve got work to do.”